Oh, beautiful rainbow! Oh, magnificent moon!

Tonight was filled with signs of hope.  Never before have I been given such signs.  I can't wait to tell you all about it.  I feel so at peace tonight.

It was an ordinary day.  I went for a walk with a friend in the late morning and set out to pick up around the house after Ty's therapy this afternoon.  While I was in my bedroom I stopped to press my finger against a necklace with a medallion of Saint Peregrine (patron saint of cancer).  It was hanging over a framed photo of Ty.  When I did that, I was reminded of an older man that came out to meet Ty at the Iron Riders event back in July. What was it that he gave me?  I had to find it, so I set out searching through my things and quickly came across a handwritten note from this gentleman.  A sweet man who survived cancer by a "miracle of God," he told me. 

His note was brief, and it mentioned a special cancer healing mass in honor of Saint Peregrine that would be held at a nearby church that I had never heard of before.  Low and behold, it was on September 15th.  "Oh no!"  I thought I must have missed it because it was already so late in the day, but then I saw it wasn't to begin until 7PM.  The fact that I came across this note on this very day, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to go.  I told Lou that I was taking Ty to a healing mass at Mount Alvernia at 7PM and without questions or hesitation he said he'd meet me there after work. 

It was a totally gross and rainy day.  I recently had my car washed and there must be residue on the windshield from waxing or something because I had a terrible time seeing through my windsheild the entire way there.  It was dark, my windows were cloudy and it was a miserable drive that took more than a half hour.  Then, when my navigation told me I was two minutes away, I noticed there were sunbeams breaking through the clouds and illuminating the tops of the trees while the rain continued to pour down.  I swear to you, there was this one spot in the sky where it looked like the rain had stopped and the sun was shining and I smiled to myself... "wouldn't that be something if the church was over there? Oh, please let it be over there!"

There should have been an opera playing in my car as I got closer and ultimately pulled into the driveway of this church.  What a beautiful, serene and spiritual place!  It was an adorable church set back on acres and acres of green lawn and surrounded by trees. I started to tear up when I saw the amazing sky blazing with a fiery setting sun and I told Ty that it was all for him.  The very first car I saw was Lou's car, and when we stepped out I saw it.... the most incredible rainbow.  It was so bright!  So magical!  It was the very first rainbow Ty had ever seen in his life; it reached way up into the sky, and perfectly centered in the middle of the arch was a beautiful white statue.  I wish I could have captured it on camera, but it was way too big.  Besides, it was supposed to be too big for a picture.  It was too powerful to be captured like that.  But, I will hold it forever in my heart.  This tiny piece of the rainbow doesn't do it justice, not even remotely, but I know you'll understand. 


A woman who was getting out of her car at the same time said to us... "Wow!  Now I don't believe that is a coincidence."  And I said, "no, I don't believe it is."

The church was tiny.  It was painted all white inside and walking in I felt as if I was entering a very special place.  To put it simply, I felt like I was supposed to be there. My eyes just kept tearing up because I was just feeling so many different things it's hard to even put into words.  Lou and I were pretty much the youngest people there, and Ty was the only child.  All eyes were on Ty, and all I could think of was how grateful I was because I knew every person in that room - whether they had cancer themselves or if they were there to pray for someone they loved with cancer - every one would also say a special prayer for the adorable little boy who was in that room tonight.  The pastor looked our way quite a bit and I felt as if he was putting a lot of his energy into Ty as well.  It felt good.

Sure, Ty whined here and there during the service, but he was really such a good boy.  He was very tired because it was a late mass but he stuck it out for almost the entire hour.  He received the annointing oil on his forehead and hands, and we decided to leave a few minutes early because he was falling asleep.  Upon sneaking out during the closing song, a woman followed us into the foyer.  She said... "you're going to think I'm crazy, but I just had to share this with you..."  She went on to tell us about a segment on Dr. Oz and she told us to please look it up because perhaps it could help Ty.  Then she said the following statement, and this is what I consider another amazing sign of hope:

"I don't know what his diagnosis is, but I want you to know - and I promise you this - miracles happen.  I had metastatic breast cancer that spread to my spine and today it is GONE.  It's a miracle."

I don't remember what else she said, and I don't think it was the Dr. Oz segment that I was supposed to hear about.  It was the simple statement about her miracle that I carry in my heart tonight.  There are two reasons why it was so powerful.  First, because in December we were told Ty's cancer had spread to his spine and that there was no hope for a cure.  It has since stopped growing in his spine and completely baffled his doctors.  Second, because when Ty's cancer metasticized in June, our neurosurgeon used an example of breast cancer when he said, "if breast cancer metasticizes into other areas of the body, there is simply no hope for a cure.  Ty is in a similar situation because he has two new tumors in a different area of the brain, but I think with surgery I can give him a good summer." 

Miracles DO happen.  I BELIEVE!  When I heard the words metastatic breast cancer and spine come out of that beautiful woman's mouth I couldn't say a word because I was going to burst into tears.  I wanted to tell her that Ty is a miracle, too!  That he was also disgnosed with lepto-meningial disease that has since disappeared, but I couldn't get the words out.  It doesn't matter.  What was supposed to happen in that exhange happened.  I received the message I was supposed to recieve and it has calmed my spirit and allowed my soul to rest easier tonight. 

On our way home, I called Lou to discuss what we should pick up for dinner, and he asked me "isn't the moon amazing tonight?"  I couldn't see it.  It wasn't until several minutes later that I turned a corner and practically jumped in my chair because there it was, hanging so low and so bright.  What a beautiful full moon - I hope you all saw it, too!  I promised Ty we could stop at a candy store and no matter how tired he was he didn't forget about that.  I wasn't familiar with the area so I couldn't find a CVS or anything but I did stumble upon a Chuck E Cheese.  I hadn't been to one of those places since I was a kid myself, but I asked Ty and he wanted to go!  We got four tokens, played four games, and he won enough tickets to claim a piece of.... CANDY.  How perfect, right?  Best dollar I ever spent. Goodnight and God Bless.

Believe.  :)




  

Comments

  1. Best post EVER!! What an amazing day of events, starting with the note and ending with the candy <3 Wow is all I can say, and I DO BELIEVE!! I remember thinking once, how when there is an eclipse it is mentioned in the news and it such an event. But what about the amazing sunrise or sunset that occur daily, they are just as amazing, but over-looked. I love that you appreciate all the beauty in nature, you take nothing for granted, you see the miracles happening all around you. I believe Ty is healing. It happened with my Mother also. I was the one who wrote the post about her having Breast cancer and then a clean bill of health for 27 years. SHe saw the everyday miracles too....Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Wow! Your post was like reading the best novel you have ever read and you just can't seem to put it down. I was sitting on the edge of my chair waiting to read the next line. Wow, is the right word.

    I believe nothing from yesterday was a coincidence. I believe the rainbow was for you to see a ray of hope. I believe the sweet lady was sent to lift your spirits and confirm w/ you that Ty will be ok. I believe you needed this whole experience to rejuvenate you and give you some peace of mind. Your post was just chilling! I am so thankful that all of that happened for y'all yesterday and I can only see more great things on the horizon for your family.

    I am beaming! I hope y'all have a GREAT weekend!

    Love,
    Jan
    Georgia

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  3. What a beautiful, uplifiting entry!!! I am so glad you and Ty are having such moments of grace. And the moon was SO gorgeous the other night... I am glad I saw it too. Prayers for you all as always (:

    Allie

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  4. God has ways of talking to us. That lifted me this morning. I continue to keep you in my prayers.

    Take care,
    Robert
    Texas

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  5. Cindy & Lou,
    You two are remarkable.... and your evening last night was incredible... Always praying for you Campbells..
    Love,
    Janine

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  6. Tears are in my eyes as I read this post and I am so happy that you are open to see the signs of hope so clearly. Ty will be the miracle.

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  7. Cindy & Lou,

    This is an incredible post!!! I truly do believe in Miracles, and I am sure you do too, considering you have your little miracle boy! I'm so happy you guys were able to attend the mass!! What a beautiful rainbow. Wow, I have not seen a rainbow since I was a kid!

    Ty is going to beat this!!!

    Have a great weekend!

    Joy Marielle
    Baltimore, MD

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  8. This is such a great story. I was jumping out of my seat. I wanted to write to you when I was only 1/4 through!

    How do you type a rainbow??????

    You don't have to convince me. I already believe. Now I have this wonderful image of Ty wrapped in a rainbow. A real, beaming rainbow. I love it!

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  9. Wow I am so blown away by you and your family. Your writing is unbelievable. This was so uplifting.. He will beat this..there are miracles and he is one of them.. Keep believing.. Years ago I owned a business that I was building.. 1 year into it I used to meet with a group of people that were all in the same business. I had told them that one of my best months had been July, they said it is impossible because in the industry I was in July is ALWAYS by far the worst month. My response was "oh, I didn't know".. I was surrounded by people that had been in the industry for years and everyone was shocked. The key was I believed that I could do it and it didn't matter what the statistics were.. I didn't even know the statistics..
    I know this is a lot different but I truly believe if you pray and you believe you will beat this
    You are an amazing mother
    God bless and I will keep the praying up over here

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  10. Amazing post! You guys are top of our list at church every week - suddenly getting that better job to be able to pay bills more easily seems SO SO SO unimportant - THANK YOU! Thank you for teaching me how unimportant "keeping up with the Jones'" really is. I now try my best to appreciate every moment - including the trying ones because I am so lucky to have them and they too will slip away.

    You guys are incredible and are always paying it forward...more people need to hear your story and live like you do!

    Prayers always!

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  11. Amazing just so amazing you bring tears to my eye

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  12. I NEVER DOUBTED IN THE MIRACLE GOD HAS DONE IN TY AND EVERYONE WHO HAS SHARED IN THIS JOURNEY!

    FLIP FLOPS!

    LOVE ALWAYS!

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